Method, system, and service for tracking and billing for technology usage

Abstract

A system is provided with at least one differentiating, chargeable technology. Methods of selling and pricing the system are disclosed allowing the system to be sold at a reduced initial purchase price. The execution by a user of the system of the chargeable technology is tracked and charged for on a per-usage basis. Systems and methods are disclosed for tracking, recording and reporting data regarding the execution of the chargeable teachnology.

1 . A method comprising: 
 charging a first price for a computer system;    tracking the execution by the computer system of at least one chargeable technology; and    charging an additional price for each execution of the at least one chargeable technology by the computer system.    
     
     
         2 . The method of according to  claim 1  wherein the first price is lower than a break-even price for a provider of the computer system.  
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein tracking the execution of the chargeable technology comprises collecting and storing data regarding said execution, said data comprising: 
 a data and time of the execution;    an identity of the chargeable technology executed; and    unique identifying information associated with the computer system.    
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3  further comprising encrypting the collected data before storing the collected data.  
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 3  wherein charging an additional price comprises: 
 gathering the stored data relating to each execution of a chargeable technology;    creating a technology usage report indicating at least the number of times each chargeable technology has been executed;    creating an invoice representing per-usage charges of the executions of the at least one chargeable technology;    sending the report and the invoice to a user of the computer system.    
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said computer system comprises at least two computer systems delivered by a system provider to at least two users within a group.  
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6  wherein tracking the execution of the at least one chargeable technology comprises tracking said execution on all systems within the group, and 
 wherein charging an additional price comprises charging one additional price to the group for all executions of the at least one chargeable technology by the users within the group.    
     
     
         8 . A method comprising: 
 selecting execution of a chargeable technology on a client computing system;    executing said selected chargeable technology;    collecting data relating to said execution on said client computing system; and    storing said collected data in a protected storage area on said system.    
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8  wherein said collected data comprises: 
 a data and time of the execution;    an identity of the chargeable technology executed; and    unique identifying information associated with the client computing system.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising encrypting said data prior to storing said data.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising: 
 periodically determining if the client computing system is connected to a network;    if the client computing system is connected to the network, gathering said collected data from the protected storage area and forwarding said collected data to a predetermined central location on the network.    
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11  wherein the determining, gathering and forwarding steps are performed without the intervention or knowledge of a user of said system.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the selecting execution step comprises initiation by a user of the system.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the selecting execution step comprises an automatic selection by the system based on an occurrence of a pre-determined event, without the intervention or knowledge of a user of the system.  
     
     
         15 . A method comprising: 
 recognizing in a computer system a system problem or other eventuality indicating a need for execution by the computer system of at least one chargeable technology;    selecting execution of a chargeable technology on said system;    executing said selected chargeable technology;    collecting data relating to said execution on said computer system; and    storing said collected data in a protected storage area on said system.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the selecting execution step comprises a selection by a user of the system of a chargeable technology to execute from a menu or list of available chargeable technologies presented to said user.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the selecting execution step comprises an automatic selection by the system of a chargeable technology to execute based on the type of system problem or other eventuality recognized.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising encrypting and digitally signing the data prior to storing the data.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising: 
 entering an alternate operating mode of the system by initiating execution of an alternate operating system;    performing the steps of selecting, executing, collecting and storing under control of the alternate operating system;    returning control of the system to a primary operating system for normal operation.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein said alternate operating system is provided on the system in a manner which is hidden from a user of the system and protected from tampering.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising: 
 periodically determining if the system is connected to a network;    if the system is connected to the network, gathering said stored data and forwarding said data to a predetermined central location on the network.    
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the entire said process is performed without the intervention or knowledge of a user of the system.  
     
     
         23 . A method comprising: 
 receiving at a central location data representing at least one execution by a remote system of at least one chargeable technology;    storing said data in a protected area of said central location.    
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  further comprising decrypting said data prior to storing said data.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23  wherein said data comprises: 
 a data and time of the execution;    an identity of the chargeable technology executed; and    unique identifying information associated with the remote system.    
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25  further comprising: 
 periodically determining if the central location has connectivity to the remote system;    if the central location has connectivity to the remote system; 
 gathering the stored data corresponding to said remote system;  
 creating an invoice representing per-usage charges for said execution of said at least one chargeable technology; and  
 forwarding said invoice to the remote system.  
   
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 26  wherein said remote system comprises at least two remote systems associated with at least two users within at least one group.  
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 27  wherein gathering the stored data corresponding to said remote system comprises gathering all stored data corresponding to remote systems associated with members of the same group; 
 wherein creating an invoice comprises creating an invoice representing per-usage charges for all executions of said at least one chargeable technology by members of the same group; and    wherein fowarding said invoice to the remote system comprises forwarding said invoice to a network address identified as corresponding to the group.    
     
     
         29 . A service comprising: 
 receiving data from a client system relating to execution by a user on said system of at least one chargeable technology;    storing said data in a manner retrievable according to user;    periodically retrieving said data according to user and creating a technology usage report for each user indicating at least a number of executions of each chargeable technology by each user.    
     
     
         30 . The service of  claim 29 , further comprising: 
 configuring the client system with at least one chargeable technology; and    configuring the client system with a capability to track and report data relating to the execution by a user of the system of the at least on chargeable technology.    
     
     
         31 . The service of  claim 29  wherein said technology report comprises an invoice representing per-usage charges for each execution of said at least one chargeable technology.  
     
     
         32 . A computer system comprising: 
 at least one central processing unit (CPU);    a memory operatively connected to the CPU;    a non-volatile storage operatively connected to the CPU and holding at least a primary operating system for execution on said CPU and effective when executing for controlling the operation of the system;    a communication interface operatively connected to said CPU for interfacing said system with a network;    at least one chargeable technology accessible for execution on said CPU; and    a chargeable technology usage tracking component accessible for execution on said CPU for tracking the execution by the system of the at least one chargeable technology.    
     
     
         33 . The computer system of  claim 32 , further comprising an alternate operating system in a protected and hidden area of said non-volatile storage and wherein said alternate operating system executes on said CPU to control the execution of said chargeable technology and said chargeable technology tacking component.  
     
     
         34 . The computer system of  claim 32 , further comprising a secure, hidden area of said non-volatile storage for use by said technology usage tracking component in storing data relating to the execution by the system of said at least one chargeable technology.  
     
     
         35 . A central location computer system comprising: 
 at least one central processing unit (CPU);    a memory operatively connected to the CPU;    a non-volatile storage operatively connected to the CPU and holding at least a primary operating system for execution on said CPU and effective when executing for controlling the operation of the system;    a communication interface operatively connected to said CPU for interfacing said system with a network;    a chargeable technology data receiving component for receiving from remote systems data indicative of execution of said remote systems of at least one chargeable technology; and    a technology usage data reporting and billing component for periodically sending to the remote systems a usage report detailing the use by the remote systems of the at least one chargeable technology.    
     
     
         36 . The central location computer system of  claim 35 , further comprising a secure, hidden area of said non-volatile storage for use by said data receiving component in storing the data received from the remote systems.  
     
     
         37 . The central location computer system of  claim 36  wherein said usage report comprises an invoice representing per-usage charges for the executions by the remote systems of the at least one chargeable technology.